A young child, severely malnourished, was found next to her deceased mother after reportedly being trapped with the body for several days. The woman, aged 40 and known to have epilepsy, was discovered dead in a flat in Montagnac, near Pézenas in France’s Hérault department. The girl, suffering from malnutrition, dehydration, and shock, was promptly taken to the hospital where she has since recovered and is now under the care of a family member during treatment.
Investigators, as of June 11, were exploring the possibility of the woman’s death being natural, as there were no signs of violence or forced entry reported by neighbors. A post-mortem examination is pending, with speculation that the woman may have suffocated due to an epileptic seizure. The young girl, too small to unlock the door for help, was found with the key still in the lock.
The child’s absence from school alerted her nursery teacher, who then contacted the authorities after failed attempts to reach the mother or relatives. Concerns were raised when the mother had not been in touch with family or neighbors since May 31. Philippe Audoui, the first deputy mayor of Montagnac, expressed the urgency of the situation, stating that the mother likely would not have survived another day.
Living alone without a partner, the mother and daughter were described as a discreet family by neighbors. A support team was established to aid those who were present and distressed by the tragic discovery. The investigation is being led by the Pézenas gendarmerie in collaboration with the public prosecutor’s office in Béziers.
The scene was described as harrowing by one officer, who noted the strong odor upon entering the premises. The child reacted with distress upon seeing the authorities. Local gendarmes were called in to assist, and firefighters had to break through a window to gain access to the property after receiving no response at the door.
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